Anal itching
Anal itching is itchy around the anus. The medical term for this is pruritus ani . The symptoms can be mild, but also quite troublesome, for example when the itch gets stronger in the evening or at night and disturbs sleep. Crabs can also irritate or damage the skin, allowing the itching to sustain itself.
Anal itching is not a condition in itself, but a symptom with various possible causes. Sometimes there is a clear explanation such as skin irritation, eczema, haemorrhoids, anal fissure or infection. In other cases, no obvious physical cause is found.
Within Chinese medicine, therefore, not only the itching itself is considered, but also additional complaints and the underlying pattern. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can then be adapted to this overall picture.
Western disorders and possible causes
Anal itching can be caused by local irritation of the skin, for example by soap, moisture, sweating, frequent cleaning or inadequate hygiene. Long-term diarrhoea can also irritate the skin around the anus.
Other possible causes include:
- eczema, contact dermatitis or psoriasis;
- haemorrhoids, anal fissure or fistula;
- fungal or other skin infections;
- parasites, in particular assams;
- allergic or irritating reactions to care products;
- chronic diarrhoea.
Sometimes anal itching is associated with an underlying condition, such as diabetes, liver disease or Crohn's disease. However, no obvious cause is frequently found; this is called idiopathic anal itching.
In the event of persistent, severe or recurrent itching, it is wise to have the cause regularly assessed, especially if there is also blood loss, pain, wounds, discharge, swelling or alteration of bowel movements.
Possible causes
In addition to an underlying condition, heat, moisture, friction and irritation may provoke or exacerbate the symptoms. Also highly perfumed soap and other care products can irritate sensitive skin around the anus.
Crabs can provide temporary relief, but damage the skin at the same time. This can cause irritation again and create an itching-crab cycle.
It is therefore important to minimise skin stress, as well as any possible treatment, and to target a cause such as fissure, haemorrhoids, infection or parasites.
How can acupuncture help with anal itching?
Within Chinese medicine, anal itching can have different backgrounds. One person has heat and irritation in the foreground, while another has humidity, dryness or underlying weakening.
Acupuncture treatment is therefore tailored to both local complaints and the overall picture of complaints.
Depending on the pattern, treatment may be directed at:
- Reduce heat and irritation
- Reduce Dampness when the skin is moist and irritated
- Support the circulation of Qi and Blood in affected area
- Nourishing blood and body fluids in dry, chronic itching
- Supporting digestion when involved in the pattern
If there is a clear physical cause for the itching, treatment is important.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with anal itching?
Chinese herbs are also selected on the basis of the underlying TCM pattern. This allows two people with the same complaint to get different herbs.
For example, clear redness, heat and humidity may require a different approach than dry skin and prolonged itching. Herbs can be tailored to the underlying pattern as well as local irritation and can support daily between treatments.
Depending on the pattern, treatment may be directed at:
- Reduce heat and calm the skin
- Reduce Dampness-Heat in moist, red or irritated skin
- Nourishing blood in chronic itching and dryness
- Support the digestion when it contributes to Dampness
- Reduce itching
Herbs are not used as replacement for diagnostics or treatment of, for example, an infection, parasites or any other underlying condition.
How does Chinese medicine view anal itching?
Western medicine mainly tries to identify the local or physical cause of the complaint in anal itching. In addition, the traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) examines the underlying imbalance that can cause or maintain complaints.
In anal itching, the Large Intestine and the Spleen are particularly relevant. The Large Intestine has a relationship with the bowel movement and the anal area within TCM. The Spleen plays an important role in the processing and transport of nutrition and body fluids. TCM Dampness says that if this function is disturbed, it can result in a build-up of moisture which can be expressed as moist or irritated skin for example.
When Dampness merges with Heat, it speaks of Dampness-Heat. This can be expressed as redness, heat, irritation and humidity. In other people insufficient nutrition of the skin by Blood deficiency is important, making the skin dryer and causing chronic itching. Wind is also associated with itching within TCM.
More information about these concepts can be found at TCM basics .
A recognizable combination of symptoms and symptoms is called a TCM pattern within Chinese medicine. Only the most common patterns in anal itching are described below. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns may be present at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in several descriptions. Also, not everyone with the same pattern has all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined based on the overall picture of complaints.
A TCM organ system includes more than the body organ with the same name. It describes a whole of functions and relationships in the body. For example, the Spleen within TCM relates to the processing of food and liquids.
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of symptoms and physical characteristics that indicates what disruption according to Chinese medicine is at the forefront. The treatment is tailored to this pattern.
Most common TCM patterns
Wind-Heat
At Wind-Heat, itch with mild heat and dryness is at the forefront. Within TCM, Wind is strongly associated with itching. The combination with Heat can also dry out and irritate the skin and mucous membranes.
Common symptoms: anal itching with dry or light red skin, sometimes worse in dry or windy weather. In addition, dry mucous membranes, a dry or tickling throat, slight headache or cough may occur.
Examples of Western disorders: idiopathic anal itching and certain forms of dry or irritated skin around the anus.
Damp-Heat
Dampness-Heat combines moisture and heat. Around the anus this can lead to moist, red and irritated skin. This pattern can be chronically present, but also give periods in which the symptoms clearly worsen.
Common symptoms: severe anal itching, redness, swelling, warmth and moist or sweaty skin around the anus. Sometimes there is discharge. The stools can be loose or difficult. In pronounced heat also irritability, a bitter taste and dark urine can occur.
Examples of Western disorders: moist dermatitis around the anus, skin irritation in chronic diarrhoea and some fungal or other local infections.
For obvious redness, swelling, pain, discharge or suspicion of infection, regular diagnostics are important.
Blood-deficiency
Blood deficiency does not provide adequate nourishment and moisturizing to the skin according to TCM. This can create a dry skin that easily itches. This pattern occurs especially in the case of long-term complaints and may occur after blood loss or during periods when the body is less well fed.
Common symptoms: chronic anal itching with dry, sometimes scaly or thickened skin. Itchyness is often worse at night, when tired or in cold and dry weather. In addition, fatigue, dizziness, dry skin or eyes, poor sleep and palpitations can occur.
Examples of Western disorders: chronic idiopathic anal itching and itching that occurs all around or after menopause.
Parasites
In Chinese medicine, parasites are considered a separate cause of itching. In anal itching, assams are a known regular cause. This is more common in children, but can also occur in adults.
Common symptoms: anal itching, which can be strong especially in the evening or at night and sometimes disturb sleep. In addition, abdominal pain, bloating or changes in appetite may occur if parasitic infection occurs.
Examples of Western disorders: infection with assams and other, less common parasitic intestinal infections.
Regular diagnostics and targeted treatment are indicated in case of suspicion of assemblies or other parasitic infection.
What can you do for yourself?
Try to keep the skin around the anus clean and dry without over-cleaning it. Lukewarm water is usually sufficient; avoid scrubbing hard and highly perfumed soap or other products that may irritate the skin. Dip the skin gently after washing dry.
Preferably wear loose and breathable underwear and try to avoid scratching as much as possible. In addition, make sure you have regular soft stools. Both hard stools and long-lasting diarrhoea can irritate the skin.
If you notice that certain foods are consistently worsening the symptoms, it may be useful to keep up with them temporarily.
Outlook
The course of treatment strongly depends on the cause and duration of the symptoms. If local irritation or a treatable underlying cause is present in particular, improvement can occur relatively quickly as soon as it is addressed.
Long-term anal itching, recurrent skin irritation or underlying TCM pattern may require more time. In the initial phase, for example, treatment can be done once a week; depending on severity and course, this can be adjusted. This is a guideline and not a fixed rule.
If the symptoms persist despite treatment or return regularly, it is important to re-assess whether there is an underlying physical cause.
Contact
Do you suffer from anal itching and want to know if acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine can mean anything to your symptoms? Please feel free to contact us. During the intake we will discuss your complaints, possible causes and your general health in order to assess which treatment suits your situation.